For some reason. Microsoft, it appears, has found joy in developing dual screen devices. The Seattle based company is working on Centaurus, reportedly a codename for another such machine.
Andromeda may still be a galaxy away, but that is not stopping Redmond from experimenting with two screens on one device.
Now, admittedly, foldable is the new black these days.
Everyone seems to at least be exploring such concepts, including industry titans like Intel and Samsung.
However, for Microsoft, this rumored bigger screen successor to Andromeda is more about its evolving strategy to compete with Chromebooks. These Chrome OS devices have started to make a splash in the business and education spheres, outpacing both Microsoft and Apple offerings in recent times.
Centaurus is believed to be a dual screen device not entirely dissimilar to Microsoft Courier, a dual screen tablet from 2010 that the company never ended up shipping.
Redmond is said to be pushing for this dual screen 2-in-1 machine that houses hardware powered by Intel and possibly running a lighter version of Windows.
Which we’ve heard may not even be called that.
According to intel provided by regular Microsoft watcher The Walking Cat, Centaurus is the codename for a SKU of Windows Core OS. This is not all that surprising, as Andromeda served as the codename for both a hardware device and a SKU of the operating system.
Windows Core OS is a new version of Windows 10 that is capable of running legacy Win32 programs in containers or packaged from the Microsoft Store.
In single display mode, you will be able to use Centaurus as a tablet, or as an ebook on the e-ink side.
That said, this new device in question seems to share a fair bit with Intel Copper Harbor, a concept that the chip giant showed off not that long ago. In fact, a number of smaller hardware vendors are also working on similar dual screen machines.
As for release date, contrary to previous reports, Andromeda will not be released in 2019, but Centaurus might, as it has taken preference for Microsoft.
And this makes sense, putting it on hold. Microsoft would want to ensure a successful reentry into the smartphone space with the right blend of software and hardware, which a device like Andromeda currently lacks.
A modular, Surface branded Centaurus could be just what the doctor ordered.
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